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Original poster

Mis-sold a pony from a dealer - they are ignoring me

67 replies

bettertimesarecomingnow · 05/12/2021 09:56

I wonder if any wise Mnetters know what to do in this situation.

In October I bought a 13hh 12yo cob for my nine year old daughter. She was advertised as good to do in all ways, safe and sensible.

We went to see her and she did seem great. Had her vetted and no issues so we agreed to to buy her.

At the time the dealer said he had lost her passport and showed me the application for the new one saying it would take a few days to arrive. He would send it on. I haven't bought a horse for years so assumed all was well. No passport has ever arrived for her.

Now the real issue - she is totally unsuitable for a child. My dd cannot lead her, groom her, pic her feet without her kicking, pulling away and running off with her. She is so strong and so fiesty. She will bite or kick when we are in the field. Picking her feet is a no no, or rugging her - anything she does not like she will kick.

My dd and I are so gutted, she can be a lovely pony sometimes and we were so excited to get her. Tacking up sometimes goes ok and we get her out but then she spooks at everything and refuses to budge.

I just don't know what to do. I've been so stupid- I cannot sell her and the dealer says it's not his problem, we tried her and bought her as seen.

What do I do? I told him within the 1st two weeks that she wasn't suitable and got "oh just let her settle and she will be fine."

She is not fine 😢

OP posts:
HappyGirlNow · 05/12/2021 12:42

How experienced are you with horses? Horses can play up when they move yards and owners and try their luck, sensing weakness or inexperience! If you’re not experienced do you have access to someone who is who can work on ground and ridden work and help you find your way? Consistency is key.

Also, maybe speak to a physio, just because she passed a vetting doesn’t mean there’s no physical issues. I had a horse pass a 5 stage getting to find out later she had kissing spine.

And has saddle been fitted professionally?

HappyGirlNow · 05/12/2021 12:44

Also, a month or two is no time for a horse to truly settle.

Pleasedontdothat · 05/12/2021 15:15

How often is your dd having lessons?

If you can I would throw money at the problem now - intensive lessons both ridden and groundwork - 2-3 a week if your budget allows. If you try to nip this in the bud now you could well have the lovely pony you tried back again.

Ponies are very good at sussing out what they can get away with and don’t forget she’s had her world turned upside down in the last few months - somehow she’s ended up with the dealer, presumably after being someone else’s pony, now she’s in a different home with you - new yard, new routine, new field mates.

The passport is a different matter however - do you know what type of passport it is? It might be worth getting in touch with the issuing office and seeing if they’ve had the application in yet - presumably she’s microchipped as she was vetted? Do you know where she came from prior to the dealer? Could you get in touch with previous owners and see if they have any thoughts?

SexyNeckbeard · 05/12/2021 15:21

You have rights here he can't just say no to you. Go on dodgy horse dealers & sellers group on Facebook and ask for advice the admins are pretty good and should be able to help

Original poster
bettertimesarecomingnow · 05/12/2021 16:25

I don't know where she came from. The dealer told me it was an older couple and they were no longer riding / driving her.

I suspect that's a heap of nonsense. I'm also wondering if she was sedated when we viewed.

I have had horses in the past and ridden all my life and never experienced anything like it. Popped in to see her this afternoon to take more hay and she won't even let me stroke her, she jerks her head away and walks off.

My daughter has issues with confidence and I was very clear that I wanted a quiet calm pony to build her up. She's now so scared of her it breaks my heart.

I do understand that she needs to settle and learn to trust us but she's getting worse not better. I'll arrange for some more lessons and handling etc.

OP posts:
Original poster
bettertimesarecomingnow · 05/12/2021 16:25

I've joined those groups thank will see what they say!

OP posts:
freshcarnation · 05/12/2021 20:31

I'd be scoping for ulcers

lastqueenofscotland · 06/12/2021 08:47

Who is the dealer?
There are so many with awful reputations that continue to do well for two reasons
A) people who don’t loosely keep up with the horse world beyond their horses never bear of them or they are novice so there are no red glad at certain names.
B) a he market is mad and people don’t want to believe their £2/3k budget needs to be 4 times the size to get an appropriate animal so they take a punt on these people selling on paper a £6/7k horse for £2.5 and then shock horror it goes wrong.

lastqueenofscotland · 06/12/2021 08:48

I’m also convinced from your post that the pony has ulcers

lastqueenofscotland · 06/12/2021 08:52

Although the fact there was no passport screams dodgy to me.
We’re their initials RS or CG?

maxelly · 06/12/2021 10:55

Regardless of whether there's something physically wrong with the pony (probably) or whether she's just pushing her boundaries with a new owner (maybe), if the dealer is operating commercially you do have rights to an exchange or refund under the Consumer Rights Act and TBH much as I feel for the pony I'd be pursuing sending her back and getting my money back before launching into vet investigations and reschooling/lessons etc. This article describes how the law applies to horses www.righthorserighthome.co.uk/mis-sold-problem-horse-can/ . However it is true that many dealers don't understand or try and avoid their legal responsibilities by shifting the blame for any problems back onto the consumer (and of course it is tricky, horses do take time to settle into a new home and even with a very well trained horse their behaviour can deteriorate quickly if they've been used to be handled by pros and suddenly have a novice or child owner, but that doesn't make dealers an exception to the law (for this reason some of the more responsible dealers I know have packed it in as the responsibility of having to guarantee refunds or exchange was too much).

Are you a golf member of the NHS, if so they have a legal helpline which would be my first port of call, otherwise I'd try one of the solicitors at the bottom of the article I linked...

maxelly · 06/12/2021 10:56

That should of course say gold member not golf! And BHS not NHS Grin

Original poster
bettertimesarecomingnow · 06/12/2021 22:19

Thanks everyone. I have done some digging today and found she is a bit older than he said (got microchip details)

BUT crucially another lady contacted me to say she got a pony from him in may and has had exactly the same experience, she can't even catch her pony.

She managed to find out it was sold to him weeks before for £700 as a non ridden companion - he sold it to her as a child's pony and they believe it was drugged.

So we have both gone to trading standards and are waiting to see what will happen. She is further on with the process but he also ignored her and said it wasn't his problem.

What a nasty piece of work. She sent me a video of her pony and it's terrified. Very similar to mine, a cob and so I am wondering if he's done the same to me.

I have been an idiot by going to a dealer but I have well and truly learned my lesson. Whatever happens she won't be going back to him, he will sell her on again. I will find a rehab home for her or let her live out her days as a companion.

poor pony 😞

OP posts:
Original poster
bettertimesarecomingnow · 06/12/2021 22:20

I'm not sure the NHS do golf memberships but I bet the price has gone up this year if they do!!

OP posts:
headintheproverbial · 06/12/2021 22:31

This happened to a friend of mine recently. Vet reckons the horse had been given a steroid injection to mask severe issues.

She was then ghosted as she tried to raise it and ended up pursuing legal redress. Luckily a friend is a lawyer and has helped her do that.

An awful situation. Good luck.

Squizzley · 06/12/2021 22:41

@lastqueenofscotland

Although the fact there was no passport screams dodgy to me. We’re their initials RS or CG?
My thought exactly that it’s Ricky S or one of his minions.
lastqueenofscotland · 07/12/2021 06:58

Please don’t be put off dealers OP they are fantastic and often a safer route than buying privately. Most of them take immense pride in what they do. However some are not nice people, and you do need to do careful research. The dodgy dealer groups on Facebook and horse and hound forum is a good place to browse.
But in future run a MILE from someone who can’t give you a passport.

freshcarnation · 07/12/2021 16:07

Oh lord. I recognise the name Ricky S. By them from the meat man, bute them up and sell them as excellent all rounders, anybody's ride. The sales videos used to make me cringe.

Squizzley · 07/12/2021 17:21

@freshcarnation

Oh lord. I recognise the name Ricky S. By them from the meat man, bute them up and sell them as excellent all rounders, anybody's ride. The sales videos used to make me cringe.
So violent too, I don’t understand how he continues to escape police involvement Sad
freshcarnation · 07/12/2021 18:08

I could hazard a guess. Knowing the people he associates with..

Original poster
bettertimesarecomingnow · 07/12/2021 19:05

Hi it's not either of those initials, we bought her in Scotland.

But I fear he seems as bad....

OP posts:
WTF475878237NC · 07/12/2021 19:09

I'm sorry OP, drugging ponies to sell to children is absolutely appalling. Best of luck resolving this.

QuestionableMouse · 07/12/2021 19:14

I think I'd start with a really good vet check. It honestly sounds like a pain response. I'd also look at getting a good trainer to work with her so you can build trust.

What are you feeding her? I'd just do hay and a low calorie balancer. Alfalfa sends some of them crazy and it's in quite a few things now.

Crazykatie · 07/12/2021 19:59

I’ve been had a couple of times, most owners have, never ever buy from a dealer, look around the local horsey set they will have ponies that have been outgrown. Many of these will be free to a good home, they will be older ponies really only suitable for plodding around on, however older horses will cost more in vet fees and when it needs euthanizing it’s going to cost a lot to cremate.

All my kids had ponies, over the years maybe 10 some good, one or two difficult, horses are like kids, they will get away with what they can, it’s up to you to get them to do what you want.

lastqueenofscotland · 07/12/2021 20:09

If they are Scottish I think I know exactly who you are talking about. They are in some sort of trade agreements with one of the worst Irish dealers.
These dodgy lot have had endless trading standard and even police cases against them and sadly nothing ever sticks

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